Friday, February 29, 2008

Face Time

For as long as I can remember I've always loved a chance to see the inner workings of things. Given the choice, for example, of seeing a great Broadway musical from the front row or the wings, I'd choose the wings.

When I started working on It Itches, I knew next to nothing about how a book is published. After many months, I can now proudly say that I know almost next to nothing.

Recently I learned about the BLAD. To me, BLAD sounds like the name of a dashing Hungarian spy, or perhaps an onomatopoeia describing the sound of vomit. But my patient editor, Anne, explained that it stands for Book Layout And Design. The BLAD is a little sampler of the finished work that Interweave will use to mesmerize wholesale buyers into ordering hundreds of thousands of copies.

Needless to say, I support them in this mission.

So when Anne asked for an author portrait to put into the BLAD I was delighted to comply even though I am my least favorite subject. Interweave's publicity team specifically states that it does not want high school yearbook poses, and indeed my own is a perfect example (on so many levels) of What Not to Do.

(The expression on my face perfectly conveys the joy I felt at being a tuition-paying pupil of my lousy high school. I remember the photographer told me to smile and I snapped, "I am smiling.")

So I decided to create what we in the click-click biz call an "environmental portrait" of myself in my natural setting. However, there proved to be too much traffic in the ice cream aisle at the supermarket; people kept knocking over the light stands with their shopping carts. So I went with Plan B and set up a shot at my drawing board.

To get the proper angle I had to elevate the camera on a tripod about seven feet off the ground, which of course meant to reach it I had to climb up my library steps. All told, with makeup and hair styling and wardrobe consults and such it took four hours to come up with one acceptable frame.

I sent it off to Interweave, and got a sweetly apologetic e-mail response from Anne. Apparently I had misunderstood. The photograph was nice, but...given the nature of the book, they wanted a drawn portrait. How about something like that avatar I'd used on Ravelry. That sure was cute!

This is the avatar she meant.

Honestly, how is the Pulitzer committee supposed to take me seriously with an image like this?

More Portraits

I don't love taking pictures of myself, but you may have noticed I quite enjoy taking pictures of other knitters. And guess what: there are more 1,000 Knitters public shoots on the calendar.

March 15, 2008:Yellow Dog Knitting in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Nota bene: Dixie (who I can't wait to meet) is asking folks to sign up in advance, so please check out the shop Web site for full details.

March 18, 2008:Windy City Knitting Guild in Chicago. The meeting is open to all; sittings will be first-come, first-served and space will be limited. If you haven't checked out the Guild yet, perhaps this would be a good time to visit. The meeting runs from 6:45–8:55, but I'll begin at 4:30 and have to stop about 8:30 in order to pack up the set.*

April 12, 2008:The Yarnery of St. Paul, MN is graciously hosting me at Yarnover from 9 am–5 pm. Yarnover is a daylong event held annually by the Minnesota Knitters Guild, with a free vendor market featuring 24 unique purveyors of fiber from across the Midwest, as well as the opportunity to register for classes with regional and national knitting teachers; for more information, visit www.knitters.org. The Yarnery will soon have model releases on hand for those who'd like to participate; they'd appreciate it if folks would sign up in advance.

May 31, 2008:The Knitting Nest in Austin, Texas. You read it right, y'all...Texas. I can't wait. We'll be shooting from 10 am to 5 pm. Yeeeeeeehaaaaaaaw!

Gee, it's such a great photo. I've been enjoying it on Ravelry. And looking at your high school photo, like a fine wine you're getting better with age. Chateau-neuf du Pape I think (probably spelled wrong). We'll be looking for the book.

I'm coming out of lurkdom to say "yowza!" I lurve the environmental shot...Looking forward to meeting you when you swing through the Philly area (you're shuddering with fear now, aren't you?) Your blog is part of my "daily fix," along with at least 4 cups of coffee and some requisite yarn fondling. Don't you feel all warm and fuzzy knowning I count your work among my many addictions?

Oh, that is so funny! I think that the two seem to capture different parts of your personality. I could just see the picture one turning around after the serious shot is done and making the face of the animation pic. So funny! They are both fabulous - as are you - and I can't wait to see the new book! :)

Excellent photo - and it goes to illustrate just how far one can come from high school, thank the gods! Although the avatar is, well, Franklin in a nutshell.I hope you can make it to Maryland Sheep & Wool, too! I propose that you take some knitter photos on Friday, so we weary vendors could participate, too.

I decide today is a good day to delurk... It looks kind of creepy that I do it to say that they are mad not to want that photo in the book. It was very nice of Dolores and Harry not to push their way in front of you in the photo though.

I was just reading along, and suddenly realized I recognize knitter #16 there. That's me! I thought I'd need to wait to see how it turned out, but wow! I usually hate pictures of myself, but you do some great work. Thanks, Franklin!

Love both the blue shirt photo and your avatar (can't they use both?). High school pictures are always...um...well...isn't nice that high school is in the past? (not that yours is a bad photo, but mine. was.)

Where have I seen that handsome sort of picture...ANTON LeVAY! (My big hero, and no, I'm not a Satanist. I have my time in Eau Claire, I am just hyperventilating. I intend to lay my very own eyeballs right on you, so there!

Must.Not.Explode.On.The.Franklin. But I'll second a previous commenter and sing the praises of Amy's Ice Creams. Good stuff.

I can't believe TPTB would prefer a hand-drawn portrait over that most excellent and wickedly delectable shot of yourself, but I'm certain you'll rise to the occasion. 8D Can't wait for your finished book-- this is so exciting!

Dianes is right. When I was a little kid, there was a movie with a wicked genie (he scared the crap out of me, but I was a weird kid) You look exactly like him in that picture....of course I am not a kid anymore, so ya don't scare me. But genie out of the bottle, yeah.I'd buy the book for that pic alone.Are ya gonna come to Cold Lake? Nah, didn't think so. Rats.

Dear Franklin - Love the photo of you with Delores in the background. It shows your mischievous side perfectly. I think they should use it and the avatar in the book somehow. (Avatar on the dust jacket flap; photo as frontispiece?) Can't wait until it's published. Take care - Joe, in Wyoming

aaarrrgggh! You're coming to St. Paul and I'm going to be out of town for a volunteer thing on the Iowa border. Any chance you're staying until Sunday? I'll buy you brunch...If not, I think I'll trek to Eau Claire in March instead.

It's a pity... that picture is gorgeous! The blue shirt is perfect on you and I love the slight smile - very confident. Who knew one man could be such a great writer, artist, photographer and so good-looking? :)

You and time work very well together. Tell your editor that none of the other knitting authors have to style themselves like their art in their author photos. I mean, dude, are any of these chicks having to pose with their needles and wool in their hair? Worse, in their cleavage? I think not.

And after all that time styling your hair, dammit, that shot deserves to be publicised.

You really are unspeakably handsome. The photo at your drawing board is rather fearsome, like at any moment you'll unleash a barrage of drunken sheep armed with roving upon an unsuspecting world. Think "Bond villain", but hot.

Oh you were a cutie-pie in high school! But, you look so much fiercer now! That mixed blood is rockin! Can I use the current photo to raise money amongst my knitting brothers to raise money for your trip to NYC?

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